Governance rules driving public service media (PSM) must be backed by "a strong internal culture led by senior management," delegates to the EBU Legal and Public Affairs Assembly in Geneva (18-19 October) were told.  

In a key note speech, media and communications consultant Tim Suter  said independence, which lies at the heart of PSM governance values, required "adequate funding, clear appointment at top-level management, and a strong legal framework. "

However the former Ofcom executive added that management must also ensure that the principles of governance be embraced by staff.

"Governance rules need to backed by a strong internal culture driving the management and staff of PSM organizations to make sure that they are effectively implemented," said Mr Suter. "Such an internal culture is the keystone to creating a virtuous circle for engagement with audiences."

Mr Suter shared the podium with former EBU Vice-President Boris Bergant, who cited the potential disruption to a solid governance structure, based on his experience of Eastern and Central European PSM.

Mr Bergant said the next step was for the new model of Council of Europe Guidelines on PSM governance to be implemented. "The stability and predictability of funding coupled with a critical mass inside PSM organizations driving values of independence, accountability and transparency, ensure that publicly-funded media organizations are genuinely public media rather than State media," Mr Bergant said. "In this respect, the EBU Partnership Programme is a crucial tool to help ensure that PSM organizations are adequately funded, governed and managed to be truly supported by those they serve: their audiences. "

Other topics on the agenda for Assembly included key regulatory subjects ranging from copyright, to data protection, converging media and the delivery of content to the public.